Notification control in a communication system

ABSTRACT

A method for notification control in a communication system performed by a core network is presented. The method includes establishing a PDU session, and enabling a RAN to notify a UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS, for a QoS Flow in the PDU session.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments presented herein relate to a method, a core network, a radio access network, a user equipment, computer programs, and a computer program product for supporting notification control in a communication system.

BACKGROUND

Currently, the future generation of wireless communications, commonly referred to as Next Generation (NextGen or NG), Next Generation System (NGS) or 5G, is being developed all over the world. The vision of Next Generation wireless communication lies in providing very high data rates, extremely low latency, and manifold increase in base station capacity, and significant improvements of user perceived QoS (Quality of service), compared to current 4G LTE networks.

3GPP SA2 has specified a 5GS architecture in the 3GPP TS 23. 501, which is illustrated in FIG. 1.

5G QoS Flow is the finest granularity for QoS forwarding treatment in the 5G system. All traffic mapped to the same 5G QoS Flow receive the same forwarding treatment (e.g. scheduling policy, queue management policy, rate shopping policy, RLC configuration, etc.). Separate 5G QoS Flow can provide different QoS forwarding treatment. GBR (guaranteed bitrate) QoS Flow refers to the QoS Flow that require guaranteed flow bit rate.

Currently, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the notification control and notification in 5GS (the 5^(th) Generation System) is as follows. AF (Application Function) requests notification if QoS required for a service cannot be guaranteed or can be guaranteed again for a GBR QoS Flow during the lifetime of the QoS Flow. PCF (policy control function) pass that request to the SMF (session management function). The SMF shall only enable Notification control when the QoS Notification Control parameter is set in the PCC rule (received form the PCF) that is bound to the QoS Flow. When the RAN (radio access network) determines that the QoS for a GBR QoS Flow cannot be guaranteed, the RAN notifies 5GC (the 5^(th) Generation Core), which comprises SMF and PCF etc., and the 5GC further notifies the AF. When applicable, RAN sends a new notification, informing SMF that GBR can be guaranteed again. And then the AF at the application layer informs the UE. That is to say, to reach UE, the notification path is RAN, SMF, PCF to AF, and then AF to UE. This notification path may be considered too long, especially for time critical applications, for instance, V2X (vehicle to everything) applications such as remote driving and automated driving.

SUMMARY

A general object of the embodiments herein is to provide notification control in a communication system. Notification from RAN directly to UE via RRC notification may be necessary. If the notification (i.e. notification from RAN to UE) is to be applied, there is no mechanism to control when to apply it.

Therefore, it is an object of the present disclosure to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

In the proposed solution, the AF can explicitly request the access network via 5GC to apply the AN-based notification. And the 5GC can enable the AN-based notification based on AF's request and the UE's session management capability, or simply based on the local policy.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method for notification control in a communication system performed by a core network is presented. The method comprising: establishing a PDU (protocol data unit) session; enabling a RAN to notify a UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS, for a QoS Flow in the PDU session.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method for notification control in a communication system, performed by a RAN is presented. The method comprising: receiving a notification enable indication from a core network that indicating enabling an AN-signaling based notification, to notify a UE, of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS, for a QoS flow in a PDU session; and notifying the UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS using the AN-signaling based notification.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method for notification control in a communication system, performed by a user equipment, UE, is presented. The method comprising: establishing a PDU session; receiving a notification that notifying the UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS for a QoS Flow in a PDU session in the AN-signaling based notification.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a core network for notification control in a communication system is presented. The core network comprising: a processing circuitry; and a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the core network to: establishing a protocol data unit, PDU, session; enabling a RAN to notify a UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS, for a QoS Flow in the PDU session.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a RAN for notification control in a communication system is presented. The RAN comprising: a processing circuitry; and a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the RAN to: receiving a notification enable indication from a core network that indicating enabling an AN-signaling based notification, to notify a UE, of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS, for a QoS flow in a PDU session; and notifying the UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS using the AN-signaling based notification

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a UE for notification control in a communication system is presented. The UE comprising: a processing circuitry; and a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the UE to: establishing a PDU session; receiving a notification that notifying the UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS for a QoS Flow in a PDU session in the AN-signaling based notification.

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is presented. The computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium storing instruction that, when executed by at least one processor of a computing system, cause a computing system to perform the method any of the first to the third aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may best be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustratively shows a schematic diagram illustrating the non-roaming architecture of next generation system.

FIG. 2 illustratively shows the current mechanism of notification control and notification.

FIG. 3 illustratively shows the method performed by a core network for notification control in a communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustratively shows the method performed by a RAN for notification control in a communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustratively shows the method performed by a UE for notification control in a communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustratively shows signaling procedure for notification control in a communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustratively shows a functional unit of the core network in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This invention may, however be embodied in many different forms and should not be constructed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Any step or feature illustrated by dashed lines should be regarded as optional.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including” used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The present disclosure is described below with reference to block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatus (systems) and/or computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It is understood that blocks of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, the present disclosure may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). Furthermore, the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication network where embodiments presented herein are applied. FIG. 1 illustrate the entities of the 5GC, including example network interfaces N1, N2. N3, N4, N5, N6, N7, N8, N9, N10, N11, N12, N13. The 5GC thus comprise Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Core Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Policy Control function (PCF), User plane Function (UPF), Data network (DN).

FIG. 3 illustratively shows the method performed by a core network for notification control in a communication system. FIG. 4 illustratively shows the method performed by a RAN for notification control in a communication system. FIG. 5 illustratively shows the method performed by a UE for notification control in a communication system.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a method performed by a core network for notification control in a communication system according to an embodiment.

S102: The core network establishes a PDU session in response to the PDU session establishment process initiated by UE.

S108: The core network enables a RAN to notify a UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS, for a QoS Flow in the PDU session. The unfulfillment of the QoS for a QoS Flow in the PDU session refers to a GBR QoS Flow cannot be fulfilled. For V2X (vehicle to everything) applications such as remote driving or automated driving, the GBR QoS Flow cannot be fulfilled may occur when the driving speed increases, and it may cause safety issues.

In some aspects, the core network receives information indicating to whether the UE supports an AN-signaling based notification or not, as illustrated in S104. The information may be included in the PDU session establishment request which is sent by UE. AN-signaling is a type of signaling being used between 5G-AN, e.g. RAN, and UE, which including but not limited to RRC (radio resource control)-based and MAC (media resource control)-based signaling etc.

In some aspects, the core network receives a request for resource allocation to a QoS Flow in the PDU session for the UE, and the request includes a notification control indication indicating whether notification to the UE is expected, as illustrated in S106. The core network receives GBR resource allocation request from AF, and the request include a notification control indication indicating weather notification to the UE is expected, that is to say the notification control indication indicating whether to notify UE or not when QoS for a QoS Flow in the PDU session being unfulfilled or re-fulfilled. Furthermore, the request may also include a notification control indication indicating whether notification to the AF is expected as today, namely the notification control indication indicating whether to notify AF or not when QoS, for a QoS Flow in the PDU session being unfulfilled or re-fulfilled.

In an embodiment, the core network may only enable the RAN to notify a UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in a PDU session when the UE supports the AN-signaling based notification.

In another embodiment, the core network may only enable the RAN to notify a UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in a PDU session when the AN-signaling based notification is expected.

In yet another embodiment, the core network may only enable the RAN to notify a UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in a PDU session when the UE supports the AN-signaling based notification and the AN-signaling based notification is expected.

As an additional embodiment, the information received by the core network may further include the information indicating whether the UE supports the AN-signaling based notification or not for certain applications in the UE. The UE may indicate whether the support for the AN-signaling based notification is supported, wanted or beneficial per application. Such information can be declared using same or similar information as used in the UE Route Selection Policy Rule (see TS 23.503), i.e. application is identifier by traffic descriptor, for instance application descriptors with OSld and OSAppld(s).

Likewise, the notification control indication received by the core network may further indicate whether the AN-signaling based notification to certain applications of the UE is expected. The core network receives GBR resource allocation request from AF, and the request include a notification control indication indicating which application(s) in the UE is relevant for example by way of identifying application(s).

In an additional embodiment, the core network enables the RAN to notify the UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in the PDU session when the QoS Flow is addressed towards certain applications of the UE.

In another embodiment, the core network may enable the RAN, to notify the core network of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in the PDU session. The core network may enable the RAN, to notify both the core network and the UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in the PDU session.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which illustratively shows the method performed by a RAN for notification control in a communication system.

S202: RAN receives a notification enable indication from a core network that indicating enabling an AN-signaling based notification, to notify a UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS for a QoS flow in a PDU session. In an embodiment, the notification enable indication may also indicate to notify the core network of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS for a QoS flow in a PDU session as today. The AN-signaling based notification may be RRC-based notification, MAC-based notification etc., which is used between RAN and UE.

S204: RAN notifies the UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS using the AN-signaling based notification. In specific, when RAN determines that the QoS cannot be guaranteed, it notifies the UE. The RAN may only notify the core network as today. In an additional embodiment, the RAN may notify to both the core network and the UE when the QoS cannot be guaranteed.

In another embodiment, the notification enable indication further indicates enabling a AN-signaling based notification, to notify the UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in the PDU session addressed towards certain applications of the UE.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which illustratively shows the method performed by a UE for notification control in a communication system.

S302: UE establish a PDU session. UE initiated a PDU session establishment process by sending a PDU session establishment request.

S306: UE receives a notification from RAN, and the notification notifies the UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS, for a QoS Flow in PDU session in the AN-signaling based notification. The AN-signaling is for example RRC-based notification or MAC-based notification.

In a further embodiment, UE sending information indicating whether UE supports an AN-signaling based notification or not. UE sends the information, so that the core network may be aware of the capability of UE which indicates AN-signaling based notification is supported or not. The capability can be sent within the PDU session establishment request. Moreover, the UE may indicate whether the support for AN-signaling notification is supported, wanted or beneficial per application. As mentioned above, such information can be declared using same or similar information as used in the UE Route Selection Policy Rule (see TS 23.503), i.e. application identifier by traffic descriptor, for instance application descriptors with OSld and OSAppld(s).

In another embodiment, the UE may receive the notification further notify the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in the PDU session addressed towards certain applications in the UE, using the related QoS Flow, when the UE supports the AN-signaling based notification, as illustrated in S308.

FIG. 6 illustratively shows a signaling procedure for notification control in a communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

Firstly, UE establishes a PDU Session, indicating the capability that AN-based notification is supported. As an additional embodiment, the UE may indicate whether AN-signaling based notification is supported, wanted or beneficial per application. Such information can be declared using same or similar information as used in the UE Route Selection Policy Rule (see TS 23.503) i.e. application identifier by traffic descriptor e.g. application descriptors with OSld and OSAppld(s). As is known, the 5GSM capability refers to the session management capability that a UE supports, e.g. PDU session type, reflective QoS, etc.

Secondly, the application function sends service information to the core network, in particular a PCF (policy control function) of the core network, requesting resource allocation. In the request, the AF also indicates whether notification to UE, in addition the notification to the core network, is expected. As an additional embodiment, the AF may indicate which Application(s) in the UE is relevant for example by way of identifying application(s). The PCF then pass the notification control indication(s) to the SMF (with the required information).

In another embodiment, the application function sends service information to the core network, in particular a NEF (network exposure control function) of the core network, requesting resource allocation. Then the NEF pass the notification control indication(s) onto the PCF, and the PCF pass the notification control indication(s) to the SMF as is mentioned above.

Next, the SMF then enables the notification control to the RAN. If PCF also indicates that AN-based notification is expected, and the UE supports AN-based notification, the SMF will enable AN-signaling based notification to the RAN.

At last, when RAN determines that the QoS cannot be guaranteed, it notifies the core network, and also the UE if requested by the UE. The AN-signaling based notification may be RRC-based notification or MAC-based notification.

A core network, a UE and a RAN which can implement the corresponding method mentioned above are also illustrated.

FIG. 7 shows a core network for notification control in a communication system, comprising: a processing circuitry 202 and a storage medium 204. It may also comprise a communication interface 206. Processing circuitry is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product, e.g. in the form of a storage medium. The processing circuitry 202 may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA). The storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the core network to:—establishing a protocol data unit, PDU, session; and enabling a radio access network, RAN, to notify a user equipment, UE, of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of quality of service, QoS, for a QoS Flow in the PDU session.

Likewise, a RAN for notification control in a communication system can also be implemented by a similar functional unit. The RAN comprising: a processing circuitry; and a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the RAN to: receiving a notification enable indication from a core network that indicating enabling an access network, AN-signaling based notification, to notify a user equipment, UE, of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of quality of service, QoS, for a QoS flow in a protocol data unit, PDU, session; notifying the UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS using the AN-signaling based notification.

Moreover, a UE for notification control in a communication system can also be implemented by a similar functional unit. The UE comprising: a processing circuitry; and a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the UE to: establishing a protocol data unit, PDU, session; receiving a notification that notifying the UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of quality of service, QoS, for a QoS Flow in a protocol data unit, PDU session in the AN-signaling based notification.

The term “UE” used herein may indicate all forms of devices enabled to communicate via a communication network, such as mobile telephones (“cellular” telephones) and laptops with mobile termination, and thus can be, for example, portable, pocket, hand-held devices, such as mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDA); computer-included devices, such as desktops, laptops; vehicles, or other devices, such as meters, household appliances, medical appliances, multimedia devices, etc., which communicate voice and/or data with radio access network and support D2D communications.

While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation and the teaching of the present invention without departing from its central scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention is not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention, but that the present invention include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A method for notification control in a communication system, performed by a core network, comprising: establishing a protocol data unit, PDU, session; and enabling a radio access network, RAN, to notify a user equipment, UE, of one of unfulfillment and re-fulfillment of quality of service, QoS, for a QoS Flow in the PDU session. 2.-25. (canceled)
 26. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving information indicating whether the UE supports an AN-signaling based notification;
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein one of: the information further includes the information indicating whether the UE supports the AN-signaling based notification for certain applications in the UE; the AN-signaling based notification is a radio resource control, RRC-based notification; and the AN-signaling based notification is a media access control, MAC-based notification.
 28. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a request for resource allocation to a QoS Flow in the PDU session for the UE, the request including a notification control indication indicating whether notification to the UE is expected of the one of the unfulfillment and re-fulfillment of QoS, for a QoS Flow in the PDU session.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the notification control indication further indicates whether the AN-signaling based notification to certain applications of the UE is expected.
 30. The method of claim 1, wherein one of: only enabling the RAN to notify a UE of the one of the unfulfillment and re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in a PDU session when the UE supports the AN-signaling based notification; only enabling the RAN to notify a UE of the one of the unfulfillment and re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in a PDU session when the AN-signaling based notification is expected; and only enabling the RAN to notify a UE of the one of the unfulfillment and re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in a PDU session when the UE supports the AN-signaling based notification and the AN-signaling based notification is expected.
 31. The method of claim 1, further comprising one of: enabling the RAN, to notify the UE of the one of the unfulfillment and re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in the PDU session when the QoS Flow is addressed towards certain applications of the UE; and enabling the RAN, to notify the core network of the one of the unfulfillment and re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in the PDU session.
 32. A method for notification control in a communication system, performed by a radio access network, RAN, the method comprising: receiving a notification enable indication from a core network that indicating enabling an access network, AN-signaling based notification, to notify a user equipment, UE, of one of unfulfillment and re-fulfillment of quality of service, QoS, for a QoS flow in a protocol data unit, PDU, session; and notifying the UE of the unfulfillment or re-fulfillment of QoS using the AN-signaling based notification.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein one of: the notification enable indication further indicates enabling a AN-signaling based notification, to notify the UE of the one of the unfulfillment and re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in the PDU session; the AN-signaling based notification is a radio resource control, RRC-based notification; and the AN-signaling based notification is a media access control, MAC-based notification.
 34. The method of claim 32, further comprising: notifying the core network of the one of the unfulfillment and re-fulfillment in QoS for the QoS Flow in the PDU session.
 35. A user equipment, UE, for notification control in a communication system, comprising: a processing circuitry; and a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the UE to: establish a protocol data unit, PDU, session; and receive a notification that notifying the UE of one of unfulfillment and re-fulfillment of quality of service, QoS, for a QoS Flow in a protocol data unit, PDU session in the AN-signaling based notification.
 36. The UE according to claim 35, wherein when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the UE to: further send information indicating whether the UE supports an access network, AN-signaling based notification.
 37. The UE according to claim 36, wherein the information further includes the information indicating whether the UE supports the AN-signaling based notification for certain applications in the UE.
 38. The UE according to claim 35, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, further cause the UE to: further notify the one of the unfulfillment and re-fulfillment of QoS for the QoS Flow in the PDU session addressed towards certain applications in the UE, using the related QoS Flow, when the UE supports the AN-signaling based notification. 